The governorate was located in the North of European Russia, and its territory is currently divided between Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Kostroma, and Kirov Oblasts and the Komi Republic.
The governorate was established on July 24, 1918 by the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
On April 18, 1924, the uyezds were abolished, and the governorate was divided into 18 districts (raions).
Lalsky, Podosinovsky, and Oparinsky Districts in 1941 were transferred from Arkhangelsk to Kirov Oblast.
The parts of the Northern Dvina Governorate split off to Komi-Zyryan Autonomous Oblast in 1921 remain in the Komi Republic.